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Q: I can’t shake this dry cough. It’s been more than a month. Otherwise, I feel OK. Do I need to worry, and what can I do to help relieve it?

A: First, I want to know if you were ever a smoker and whether you had cold symptoms or COVID-19 before the cough began.

When someone has a cough lasting longer than five to six weeks, and perhaps even sooner for smokers, I usually order a chest x-ray or CT scan to check for an underlying lung problem.

It’s common to still have a cough for weeks after a viral upper respiratory infection. After the infection is long gone, inflamed tissues and hypersensitive nerves can persist in the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe) or bronchi (airways).

These changes can last for much longer than people realize. In addition to a nagging cough, many people also develop wheezing.

In these cases, I usually prescribe an albuterol inhaler (Proventil, Ventolin, generic versions) to use as needed. Adults can take up to two puffs every four to six hours. If this does not control the cough, sometimes an inhaler that contains a corticosteroid can be added.

Coughing also can be a side effect of medications, particularly ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, others) or enalapril (Vasotec), that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.

The other common causes of a persistent cough in a nonsmoker with clear lungs and a normal chest x-ray are postnasal drip, acid reflux and undiagnosed asthma.

Sometimes, people don’t have typical symptoms associated with these conditions. For example, a person might not have nasal congestion yet still have postnasal drip. Acid reflux can cause a cough without heartburn. And sometimes, people with asthma don’t notice wheezing.

When there are no clues to the possible cause of a chronic cough, I often first recommend a decongestant, with or without an antihistamine, to treat possible postnasal drip.

If that doesn’t help, address the possibility of acid reflux. This includes not lying down for three hours after eating, eating smaller meals, and taking a proton-pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec).

If these approaches don’t help, additional diagnostic tests may be needed. These could include breathing tests to detect undiagnosed asthma or checking for acid in the upper esophagus.

Many over-the-counter cold products claim to reduce cough. If you try a cough suppressant, look for one that contains the ingredient dextromethorphan. While clinical study results are mixed, most studies suggest it decreases cough compared with a placebo.

Q: I tend to hold on to grief. What steps can I take to ease the pain?

A: We associate grief most commonly with the passing of a family member, friend or pet. But it can also arise if someone you know suffers a permanent health-related setback, such as dementia, stroke or cancer diagnosis.

Grief can also occur from sudden changes in health or important life events, like a recent move or the end of a relationship, or after witnessing traumatic events, such as what is happening in the Middle East conflict.

No matter the source, grief can cause deep emotional and physical pain. Grief can manifest as any combination of sadness, hopelessness, depression, numbness, anger and guilt. It also can trigger problems like forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.

Going through the grieving process is essential to healing, no matter how long it lasts. The first step is to allow yourself to grieve. Don’t keep it inside and hope it goes away.

Other strategies can help you navigate through your grief. For example:

Do community outreach. If your grief is related to someone’s death, reach out to their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Learning more about the person from others and sharing stories helps everyone through the process. Plus, you can fill the role of listener, which is so helpful for other grieving people.

Talk it out. Talking about feelings can be challenging. Yet it’s often the best way to confront grief. It can help to open up to a close friend or someone else you trust. Or you may wish to consult with a professional therapist.

Explore spirituality. Spirituality can be a powerful healing tool no matter what form it takes. Thinking about the natural course of life and death can be quite transformative.

Eat well. Having a well-balanced diet can help you withstand the stress of grieving. That means eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and lean proteins, and drinking plenty of water.

Take your medications. Grief makes people more vulnerable to illness, so it’s vital that you keep taking your regular medications.

Get enough sleep. Grief can make you feel exhausted, but it’s important to keep a regular sleep schedule. If you feel tired during the day, a 20-minute afternoon nap can help.

Exercise daily. Stick to your regular exercise routine or any movement like walking, cycling or yoga.

©2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.